Cyclamen

Most gardeners think of cyclamen as delicate indoor plants. However they can be grown outside, and in fact occur naturally in harsh, rocky areas in the Mediterranean and Europe. The miniature wild Italian cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium), will thrive and multiply in a shady position in the garden. It is a very long-flowering, hardy species, which grows in both frosty and hot areas. The flowers are usually pink or white, and the leaves are patterned and marbled in white and silver.